Eira answered before Beatrice could.
"I was the only one of Dr. Thorne's students who stopped after a master's. Everyone else went on to finish a PhD."
Beatrice shook her head.
If Alaric had heard that, he would have launched into a twenty-minute lecture about degrees being credentials, not proof of intelligence.
Alpha Killian did not look convinced.
"That still doesn't explain the administrative job," he said.
"It explains enough for tonight," Beatrice replied.
Her tone stayed pleasant, but the conversation was over.
Alpha Killian understood the boundary and did not push. He watched Eira get into the town car, taking the unanswered question with her.
--
As the car pulled away from Sterling Tower, Beatrice glanced at Alpha Killian and Lila through the rear w
